You ran a good race and won well, Buhari commends Bello

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State over his victory in Saturday’s governorship election in the state, saying “you ran a good race and won well”

The President also advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties that were not satisfied with the results of governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States to seek redress in court.

Buhari stated these in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared both the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Bayelsa, David Lyon and Yahaya Bello in Kogi as winners of the governorship elections in their respective states.

Buhari, who described Lyon’s victory as “impressive”, said Bello’s election was “a race well run and a victory well won.”

The President commended the APC and the people of the states, who exercised their civic rights in a peaceful manner, “notwithstanding the pockets of unrest recorded in some locations.”

“Violence during elections vitiates our commitment to demonstrate to the world and upcoming generation that we are a people capable of electing leaders in a peaceful and orderly manner,” the statement quoted him as saying.

Read also: Buhari congratulates Bayelsa gov elect, Lyon

“He notes that while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies did their best within the ambit of the law to ensure free, fair and credible elections, it is unfortunate that pockets of unrest, mostly sponsored by desperate politicians, were recorded during the polls.

“The President looks forward to working with the incoming government to improve the lives of the people in Bayelsa State, while ensuring the security of lives and property of all citizens.

“President Buhari urges the Governor-elect, Lyon, to carry other divergent interests along in the next phase of governance, imploring those not satisfied with the outcome of the polls to seek redress through the constitutionally established channels.”

On Bello’s victory, the statement said: “The President describes the election and emergence of the APC candidate in Kogi State as “a race well run and a victory well won.” He condoled with families of those who lost their loved ones during the election in Kogi.

“President Buhari urges Governor Bello to see his renewed mandate as another opportunity to build on the foundation already laid towards improving the lives of the people of Kogi State.”

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